help rehoming aggresive dog ? :-( *update*

Beckyy

Definitely take him to the vets, and ask to be refered to a behaviourist if there are no underlying health problems.

Have you had him since a puppy?

Notsosharp

I'm sorry to hear you're having these problems with your dog OP, it must be awful for you BUT if the ultimate decision is to have Sid PTS then you'd be doing your best for him.

I know this isn't very reassuring but my mum had a German Shepherd from a puppy. Now this dog was taken to puppy training classes and was very well socialised. But then she reached 6 months of age and just changed, she became extremely people agressive and was totally uncontrollable around people. Her eyes would go like you had described, they'd go completely flat and hard and there was no reaching her at all.

It reached a point where this dog was taken to the vets and the vet registered her as a dangerous dog. Ultimately Mum had to make the harsh decision to have this 6 month old otherwise healthy dog PTS.

I feel that when he didn't break the skin he was testing the limits and once a dog gets away with biting it goes further every time (as with mums GSD).

BUT I would take it to the vets, there might be something causing him pain and thats why he bit this child (because the child hit on the sore spot). Mum's other dog DID bite a child but only because he stuck a pencil in her so hard it stood up in her skin!

How old is Sid? Have you thought about maybe re-homing him with the army/police? How good a worker is he? They're always on the look out for good working dogs so you might not have to have him PTS if you go down this route?

con1888

Defo go to vet and have tests done.

Bf's cousins dog ( a spaniel but not sure which type) has a condition that causes him to go in aggressive rages if he hasn't had his meds. When he has had his meds he still goes in trances but not aggresively

krlyr

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/bizarre_behavior.htm

Dollardog

I would definitely have him checked over again by the vet for epilepsy or such like. As krlyr says, he didn't show that much aggression to break the skin, which points to more of a warning bite.
If nothing medical shows up, the person above has suggested something I was thinking, offer him to the army or police for training. They would have people assessing him and having a job to do might help him a lot, also, it would take the responsibility away from you.

nonnatus

I echo the sensible advice above.

In the meantime, so that you feel safe, please take a look at the muzzles available. Some are so flexible that the dog can even drink through them. Sid could spend half his day locked away without a muzzle (with the other springer for company) and then when you can be in the same room, slip the muzzle on him and allow him some "house time". Shutting him away from the house permanently is going to confuse and distress the poor soul so this is maybe a workable compromise...

loubie1

Wow, Thank you for all your suggestions.

Dh took him to the vets who could find nothing obviously wrong, the vet has taken some bloods and run a barrage of other tests ! the vet was fantastic, gave dh some numbers to call including the police dog training unit and a beahviourist, she has given us a soft muzzle to use whilst we are awaiting the results of the tests which was put on him during the visit to see how he reacted ( he was fine after the initial trying to get if off !) The vet did mention rage syndrome but thought it was unlikley.

Sid behaved beautifully. The plan for now, in the very short term is to keep him with us, he is lying on my feet as we speak ( without his muzzle as all the children are still in bed ! ) hopefully we should get his results sooner rather than later, the vet said she would put them as a priority. I had a quick chat with the beahviourist, who is willing to collect Sid and take him to her practice to assess him, out of his comfort zone.

In the long term, if he is deemed healthy we will hopefully send him to train with the police. If they are unable to have him he will be PTS It was not an easy decision to make, but I would not be happy of running the risk of him going to an unsuitable home.

If something does show up with his health we will think of a plan, not sure what yet, I guess it depends on what is wrong.

Once again , thank you all for your support.

Louise

loubie1

oh forgot to add, we have had him from 10 weeks old. I contacted his breeder, who was very symapthetic but unable to help !

Louise

krlyr

Soft muzzles aren't really suitable for longterm use as they prevent panting (and often drinking) and dogs can still nip with them on - I would get to a petshop and pick up a basket muzzle, this would be fine to leave on for a long period of time (with supervision). I would advice trying to introduce it slowly if possible but obviously it's a difficult situation, so I would just try to make it as positive an experience as possible.
You could probably speed up the process by following the video below but doing several short training sessions a day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FABgZTFvHo

BananaMuffin

I have a young Springer myself, among others, and she's not the first of her breed that I've owned.

A Springer I owned several years ago had a habit of 'nipping'. She was a very sharp tempered dog, being from working lines. She wouldn't stand for any fussing over, wouldn't allow children to pull on her ears or other dogs to jump on her etc. She was 100% trustworthy though. If a child did annoy her, she would show her teeth a couple of times as though the child was a naughty puppy, and then if the child didn't stop, she would stalk off. Although a bit alarming the first few times she did it, people soon came to realise it was just what she did when she was annoyed. The same as when I tried to comb a knot out of her ears or check her teeth or paws. She was only interested in running around outside and working. Her 'nipping' though, seemed to be a way of showing affection. She would literally just nip your skin or hair with her teeth very gently, in the same way that would 'nip' herself whilst grooming. Never hard enough to cause any injury (although it was a little uncomfortable and occasionally left little bruises on soft skin). This was not mouthing which is a dominant behaviour, it was a strange display of love and affection from a bad tempered dog.

My present Springer is a bundle of energy, and also has a short patience span. If she doesn't get enough exercise throughout the day, she will become incredibly impatient with my smaller dogs and often 'bait' them by jumping at them and biting at the backs of their necks.

I would suggest for your Springer that you up the amount of exercise she is receiving. Is it possible she might have working blood in her making her more likely to be a bit impatient and sharper natured?

Also, is there any slight movement that might have made your dog anticipate a game of some sort? Or was your child holding anything the dog might of seen as hers? (Not looking for excuses for the behaviour, just reasons.) Boredom in springers is hard to combat as their energy is boundless. Perhaps your dog tried to instigate a game? I strongly believe that dogs don't see children as humans, but as odd puppies that walk around on their back legs until the child is old enough to demonstrate an adultlike authority over the dog.

With authority in mind, is your dog overly dominant? Perhaps she was 'disciplining' your child for something she didn't agree with?

Whatever the cause for your dogs behaviour, you are quite right to shut her away from your children until you have got a grasp on the situation.

They should meet every day however in a controlled situation. I would strongly recommend the soft muzzle for short term use whenever your child is around. I would suggest that your dog and child only meet after the dog has been exercised. have your child get the dog to sit, lie down, leave food etc. Whatever commands your dog knows, get your child to make the dog run through them. If your dog doesn't respond to your child, reinforce the command yourself. Then have your child repeat it again.

This is just anexercise to get your dog to understand that your child is a figure of authority in the household and that if the dog doesnt do as the child says, the 'pack leader' will swiftly be backing the child up.

I would also switch her food. My Springer has Arden Grange. Additives, colourings, flavourings etc all have effects on a dogs behaviour and perhaps your dog is snesitive to them? Search BARF Diet on google. You'll find so much information on dog food you'll be able to write a book on it! And you might see a very dramatic change in behaviour within days.

Seek the help of a reputable, and professional, dog trainer. They may be able to spot what the untrained eye can't and detect any issues with your dog and if theres anything thats upsetting her. Particularly if theres any issues between your two dogs, maybe there is a jealousy factor? Maybe your dog feels insecure around other dogs triggering the fight or flight reaction, resulting in bad 'fight' behaviour.

Keep in the back of your mind though, a small bruise to the arm is one thing and the skin on our arms is relatively tough. A small bruise to the face is quite another and ears and eyes are not half as tough as our arms.

I hope you can resolve your issue with him without the need for rehoming as I don't believe a rescue centre would keep him very long unless it is a no-kill center. Dogs with a history of aggression don't get much of a chance in our over crowded centres. But a toss-up between your dogs and your childs safety is very heavily weighted.

Also, I have just realised that I have referred to your dog as a she throughout when he is in fact a he!! Got to run for my own mutt's walkies so forgive me for not correcting them all. But good luck with everything you try, and whatever you decide to do.